Special Collection for Little Sisters of the Poor on Sept. 19-20
In the name of all the Little Sisters of the Poor, I am writing this letter to you! Unfortunately, we are not going to be able to come and visit your parish asking for your financial assistance as we have in other years. I would like to thank your pastor for allowing us to send this note via the bulletin or to read it to you! The question of how to communicate with you has come up for us mainly because of the Covid-19 restrictions that are in place. The parishes also have new recommendations, which are so different from the normal times for your parish.
Our Superior suggested that we write this letter, since it is too early for us to go out to the parishes, considering that we have the elderly in our care and regulations from the state as well to follow. As we are a nursing home we have not received permission from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) or the CMS (Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services) to leave our facility, or have persons come in, to minimize any contact with the virus for the Residents.
We have always been so very grateful to the Archbishop and pastors of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, permitting us to beg at the doors of the churches! Throughout the years, we have referred to Church Collections as our “Bread and Butter,” which support our Home.
As a reminder of our mission, we, the Little Sisters of the Poor, have the privilege of caring for the Elderly Poor, in the spirit of humble service, which we have received from Our Mother Foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan. We welcome the elderly as we would Jesus Christ himself and serve them with love and respect. We receive those of lowest income, of any race or religion. St. Jeanne Jugan wanted to have a family-like atmosphere in our Homes. As a large family, we celebrate life. The highlight of our respect for life until its natural ending is when we keep vigil with the Residents, accompanying them over the threshold of eternity.
An important part of St. Jeanne Jugan’s mission was to involve others in her work. We are very grateful for your financial help in other years. We are also aware also that many of you may have suffered financially during this pandemic and may not be able to help us this year and we understand! We want to let you know that we are praying very much for you and your families! If you cannot help us financially, we will be grateful for your prayers as we continue our way during this painful experience. Thanking you again and assuring you of our prayers.
Sincerely,
